On October 26, 2011, Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras placed an order for 11 additional Embraer 195s, taking its total orders for Embraer E-Jets to 52 aircraft

Embraer E-Jets form the backbone of Azul’s fleet. With this new order, Azul will operate the largest fleet of E-Jets in South America. All of the aircraft are equipped with individual in-flight entertainment systems.

“The follow-on order from Azul is another example of the E195 success in the low-cost carrier business model,” says Paulo César de Souza e Silva, Embraer’s president of commercial viation. “I’m particularly pleased to have a Brazilian customer showcasing the versatility of the E195 here in our home country.”

“This order underlines our belief that the E190 and E195 are the right aircraft for Azul’s growing network within Brazil,” remarks Azul CEO David Neeleman. “This additional capacity will support profitable growth, as well as our core mission of providing safe, comfortable and affordable air transportation in the country.”

Today, Azul schedules each Embraer 190 and Embraer 195 in its fleet at an average of 13 block hours per day, the highest of any E-Jets operator.

The Embraer 195 and Embraer 190 are also in service with other low cost carriers, including Flybe in the United Kingdom; JetBlue Airways in the USA; nasair in Saudi Arabia; and Virgin Australia.

After nearly three years of operations, Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras now connects 40 destinations in 39 cities, with 300 daily flights. Including destinations served by the company’s eight bus lines, Azul connects 45 of Brazil’s cities. Azul has carried more than 12 million passengers since its founding.

The airline currently operates a fleet of 33 Embraer 190 and Embraer 195 jets.